{mosads}After accepting Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant’s endorsement, Romney turned his attention to his bodyguard, Garrett Jackson — a Mississippi native — whom he credits for his transformation into an “unofficial Southerner.”

“He is now turning me into an, I don’t know, an unofficial Southerner,” Romney said. “And I’m learning to say ‘y’all’ and I like grits. Strange things are happening to me.”

Romney admitted Thursday that he was out of his comfort zone going into the Mississippi and Alabama primaries, but was confident his camp would do well regardless.

“I realize it’s a bit of an away game, but I also think we’re going to pick up some support in the states that remain this month,” Romney told WAPI in Birmingham, Ala. “I’m confident we’re going to get some delegates. That, of course, is what this is all about — getting the delegates necessary to become the nominee. But getting the majority of the delegates, that would be icing on the cake.”

Mississippi and Alabama are considered “must-win” states by those in Newt Gingrich’s camp. If Romney wins, it could be enough to knock the former Speaker of the House out of the race.